A recent article from the BBC highlighted a recent trend in Africa where countries such as Ghana and Nigeria have become dumping grounds for ‘second-hand’ or ‘re-useable’ goods that contain toxic and environmentally damaging material. In most cases, goods such as television sets and computer monitors are not used in their state, but rather stripped for spare parts and sold to second hand dealers. In the process, toxic chemicals contained in them find their way into the environment. Should African governments allow the import of potentially dangerous second-hand goods?
